About the Area

Davis & Elkins College is located in the city of Elkins in Randolph County, West Virginia, a vibrant county seat, hospital center, and community of nearly 10,000, “where the mountains reach higher, the air is fresher, the streams run clearer and the snows are deeper than any place you've probably visited before.”

Just a half-day drive from Washington, D.C., or Pittsburgh, Elkins is home to the Monongahela National Forest, which features some of the eastern United States’ premiere outdoor recreation sites. Skiing, climbing, hiking, biking – choose your adventure here. The fly fishing is excellent, too, just 20 minutes from campus, or take a raft trip – nearby or a few hours south through the infamous New River Gorge. You’ll find an abundance of scenic and historic sites within a 60-mile radius of the college campus, including the National Radio Observatory at Greenbank, the Cass Scenic Railroad, Canaan Valley, Blackwater Falls Canyon, Snowshoe Mountain Resort, and other ski destinations as well as the quaint Swiss-German village of Helvetia, which still observes many old world customs.

Elkins is alive with culture. Aside from the rich traditions celebrated during its many festivals, you can dive in to a wide range of concerts and public dances featuring classical music, jazz, blues, Cajun, Irish and old time during the Augusta Heritage Arts Workshops. And for years West Virginians have known that Randolph County is home to some of the best artisans in the East. From fine art painters to wood workers, jewelry makers, potters, basket makers, weavers and quilters, a wide variety of modern and heritage arts can be discovered here.

Students and residents are served by a modern hospital, churches representing most of the major denominations, motels, restaurants, several small shopping centers, cinema 7, and an active historic downtown business district. The local airport serves private commuters.

Most of the metropolitan areas of the East, South and Midwest are within a day's driving distance of the college. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is 150 miles to the north and Washington, D.C., is 200 miles to the east. U.S. 219, 250, and 33 and State Route 55 pass through the city. Commercial air service is available at nearby Clarksburg.

To learn more about this area, visit these Web sites:

Randolph County Chamber of Commerce:
http://www.randolphcountywv.com

Randolph County Convention and Visitors Bureau:
http://www.randolphcountywv.com

Randolph County Schools:
http://www.wvschools.com/randolph/

Augusta Heritage Center :
http://www.augustaheritage.com

Mountain State Forest Festival:
http://www.forestfestival.com